Job summary
An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and self-motivated professional to join our aseptic team at the Sutton site of the Royal Marsden.
You will be part of a team consisting of Pharmacists, Technicians and Assistants, who are always striving for excellence in all aspects of our work. We are working collaboratively as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team to ensure we always deliver outstanding care to our patients.
It is an exciting time to join the Royal Marsden Hospital Aseptic Department. Our service is built around providing a high-quality service to our patients and staff of the Trust. The department works closely with the Institute of Cancer Research and the post-holder will be supporting the development of innovative new cancer medicines as these drugs enter early phase clinical trials. The Oak Cancer Centre (a new, state-of-the-art treatment and research facility) opened in June 2023 in Sutton which will speed up the translation of world-leading research into breakthroughs in treatment and care, transforming the lives of cancer patients at The Royal Marsden and beyond.
Main duties of the job
The Job Description outlines the roles of the Technician, Aseptic Services. You will work closely with and support the Chief Technician and Deputy Chief Technician in the day to day running of the Technical Services aseptic suite, providing a quality, GMP compliant service, supplying aseptically prepared medicines including clinical trials, in a timely manner to all service users.
You will become fully trained and accredited in all processes appropriate to the Band 4 role including assembly, 1st dispense check process, compounding and volume checking.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
- Gain in depth knowledge and skill in the handling, compounding and use of cytotoxic drugs.
- Gain experience in the handling, compounding and use of clinical trials prepared at the Trust and undertake Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training.
- Gain experience in the maintenance of Aseptic facilities as defined in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
- Support the provision of robust, efficient stock control of medicines, IV fluids, containers etc. ensuring correct storage and rotation of drugs. Become trained in and follow all procedures for stock ordering, distribution and stock control. Undertake daily stock checks and submit to Senior staff.
- Become trained and accredited in all processes appropriate to the Band 4 role; worksheets, JAC dispensing, assembly, assembly, assembly checking and volume checking.
- Participate with late/early shifts and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday rotas as required to meet service provisions and requirements for 7-day working. ThePharmacy is in a transitional period and moving over to a 7-day service, therefore staff are required to participate in a 7 day service which includes the requirement to work weekends, late shifts and bank holidays
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
- Gain in depth knowledge and skill in the handling, compounding and use of cytotoxic drugs.
- Gain experience in the handling, compounding and use of clinical trials prepared at the Trust and undertake Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training.
- Gain experience in the maintenance of Aseptic facilities as defined in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
- Support the provision of robust, efficient stock control of medicines, IV fluids, containers etc. ensuring correct storage and rotation of drugs. Become trained in and follow all procedures for stock ordering, distribution and stock control. Undertake daily stock checks and submit to Senior staff.
- Become trained and accredited in all processes appropriate to the Band 4 role; worksheets, JAC dispensing, assembly, assembly, assembly checking and volume checking.
- Participate with late/early shifts and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday rotas as required to meet service provisions and requirements for 7-day working. ThePharmacy is in a transitional period and moving over to a 7-day service, therefore staff are required to participate in a 7 day service which includes the requirement to work weekends, late shifts and bank holidays
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to 5 GCSC's grade A-C including English and mathematics or equivalent.
Desirable
- Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council
- Science Manufacturing Technician Level 3, BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent Technical Modules or equivalent experience.
- Post qualification course on aseptic preparation and dispensing of medicines/GMP/QA or equivalent
- Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) qualification or working towards ACPT qualification
Experience
Essential
- If applying as a non-registered aseptic technician : Significant experience including compounding of aseptic products in a hospital or Industry aseptic facility AND Knowledge and understanding of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- If applying as a registered Pharmacy Technician : Evidence of ongoing CPD records AND Experience of working in a hospital pharmacy department AND Understanding of GCP (Good Clinical Practice)
Desirable
- If applying as a registered Pharmacy Technician : Experience of working in an aseptic unit AND Knowledge and understanding of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team with staff at all levels.
- Effective interpersonal skills with particular ability to communicate in clear English with staff members, members of the public and healthcare professionals
- Good time management skills, organised and planning skills; ability to meet deadlines and prioritise workload for self and others.
- Ability to problem solve, work effectively and follow written procedures
- Calm under pressure and ability to concentrate and work accurately for prolonged period of times with frequent and unpredictable interruptions
- Computer literate - Ability to use Microsoft office applications e.g. Word, excel and outlook
Desirable
- Ability to train/coach/teach tasks to other staff including pharmacy assistants and technicians
- Use of pharmacy computer systems and knowledge of EPIC
Other requirements
Essential
- Be flexible and adaptable to changes in procedures and practices to meet the needs of the role and service
- Self-motivated, pro-active and demonstrate a professional attitude
- Enthusiastic, supportive, hardworking and conscientious and reliable with good attendance record.
- Committed to further education and ensure CPD requirements are maintained
- Committed to safe and effective patient care
- Able to work on both sites and partake in the weekend, extended hours and bank holiday rotas to meet the needs of the role and service (e.g. shift work).
- Ability to successfully pass validations and accreditation as per unit SOPs: hand wash, gowning, transfer, cabinet/room clean, JAC dispensing, assembly/assembly check, compounding and operator broth validations, volume check, bagging/labelling, ordering and worksheets
- Capable of moderate lifting, walking to ward areas, sitting to input data, standing for long periods dispensing or compounding
- Satisfactory DBS check
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to 5 GCSC's grade A-C including English and mathematics or equivalent.
Desirable
- Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council
- Science Manufacturing Technician Level 3, BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent Technical Modules or equivalent experience.
- Post qualification course on aseptic preparation and dispensing of medicines/GMP/QA or equivalent
- Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) qualification or working towards ACPT qualification
Experience
Essential
- If applying as a non-registered aseptic technician : Significant experience including compounding of aseptic products in a hospital or Industry aseptic facility AND Knowledge and understanding of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- If applying as a registered Pharmacy Technician : Evidence of ongoing CPD records AND Experience of working in a hospital pharmacy department AND Understanding of GCP (Good Clinical Practice)
Desirable
- If applying as a registered Pharmacy Technician : Experience of working in an aseptic unit AND Knowledge and understanding of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team with staff at all levels.
- Effective interpersonal skills with particular ability to communicate in clear English with staff members, members of the public and healthcare professionals
- Good time management skills, organised and planning skills; ability to meet deadlines and prioritise workload for self and others.
- Ability to problem solve, work effectively and follow written procedures
- Calm under pressure and ability to concentrate and work accurately for prolonged period of times with frequent and unpredictable interruptions
- Computer literate - Ability to use Microsoft office applications e.g. Word, excel and outlook
Desirable
- Ability to train/coach/teach tasks to other staff including pharmacy assistants and technicians
- Use of pharmacy computer systems and knowledge of EPIC
Other requirements
Essential
- Be flexible and adaptable to changes in procedures and practices to meet the needs of the role and service
- Self-motivated, pro-active and demonstrate a professional attitude
- Enthusiastic, supportive, hardworking and conscientious and reliable with good attendance record.
- Committed to further education and ensure CPD requirements are maintained
- Committed to safe and effective patient care
- Able to work on both sites and partake in the weekend, extended hours and bank holiday rotas to meet the needs of the role and service (e.g. shift work).
- Ability to successfully pass validations and accreditation as per unit SOPs: hand wash, gowning, transfer, cabinet/room clean, JAC dispensing, assembly/assembly check, compounding and operator broth validations, volume check, bagging/labelling, ordering and worksheets
- Capable of moderate lifting, walking to ward areas, sitting to input data, standing for long periods dispensing or compounding
- Satisfactory DBS check
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
